## Belarus: Recent Economic Developments

_IMF Staff Country Reports, October 28, 1998_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Belarus: Recent Economic Developments](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/cr/issues/2016/12/30/belarus-recent-economic-developments-2813)

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- [Markdown version](/en/publications/cr/issues/2016/12/30/belarus-recent-economic-developments-2813/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/cr/issues/2016/12/30/belarus-recent-economic-developments-2813/index.json)
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## Bibliographic details
- Published: October 28, 1998
- Series: IMF Staff Country Reports
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451805031.002

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### Overview
- Reviews economic developments in the Republic of Belarus during 1996–98.
- Since 1996, authorities sought to revive economic activity and raise living standards through:
  - the rapid expansion of credit, and
  - policies aimed at accelerating export growth, particularly to Russia.

### Key findings and indicators
- Officially measured economic growth:
  - close to 3 percent in 1996,
  - 10½ percent in 1997,
  - 12 percent during the first quarter of 1998 (year over year).
- The report spans 1996–98 and emphasizes the macroeconomic effects of credit expansion and export-promotion policies.

### Policy measures and implications
- Policy actions taken by Belarusian authorities (1996 onward):
  - rapid expansion of credit,
  - targeted measures to accelerate exports (notably toward Russia).
- Implicit policy implications:
  - credit-fueled growth contributed to a marked acceleration in officially measured GDP growth between 1996 and Q1 1998.
  - export orientation toward Russia was a central element of growth strategy.

### Thematic coverage (subjects and keywords)
- Subject areas: Banking, Commercial banks, Credit, Directed credit, Expenditure, Exports, Financial institutions, International trade, Money.
- Keywords include: Baltics, Belarussian authority, capital investment, Commercial banks, CR, Credit, Directed credit, exchange rate, Exports, first quarter, foreign exchange, fund staff estimate, ISCR, minimum wage, State budget, trade balance, U.S. dollar.

*International Monetary Fund. "Belarus: Recent Economic Developments", October 28, 1998.*

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## Content in this bundle

- **Republic of Belarus: Recent Economic Developments - ISCR/98/108**
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  - [Republic of Belarus: Recent Economic Developments - ISCR/98/108 (PDF)](/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/pubs/ft/scr/1998/_cr98108.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/cr/issues/2016/12/30/belarus-recent-economic-developments-2813_